Counter-Strike Archives

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

Rockstar Games Launcher 2026: 18.3M Players, GTA 6 PC Signals

As of January 2026, the Rockstar Games Launcher has 18.3 million monthly active users engaged with Grand Theft Auto V. A software update on March 31, 2026, introduced support for Windows 11 and various performance improvements. The anticipated launch of GTA 6 is scheduled for November 19, 2026. Since its launch in September 2019, the launcher has focused exclusively on Rockstar titles, facing competition from platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store. As of March 2026, GTA Online recorded 17.9 million players across major platforms, with 4.2 million daily active users. In 2026, PC players accounted for 42% of GTA V's global player base, translating to approximately 7.7 million monthly active PC players. The March 2026 update included enhancements such as an upgraded embedded browser and a new Discord Social SDK. Players in Brazil faced restrictions on purchasing through the launcher due to local consumer protection laws. The GTA+ subscription service had 878,284 active subscribers as of early 2026.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

The greatest FPS mode of all time is endangered

Capture the Flag (CTF) mode has been a staple in multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) gaming for over three decades, popularized by Dave "Zoid" Kirsch's Threewave CTF mod for Quake. It combines team deathmatch excitement with objective-based gameplay, but has become increasingly rare as multiplayer gaming has evolved. The rise of multiplayer service games focusing on singular modes has overshadowed CTF, with titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Rainbow Six Siege prioritizing bomb modes. Call of Duty last featured CTF in 2017, and recent games like Last Flag and Highguard have not significantly revived interest in the mode. A recent Reddit thread reminiscing about CTF received 98 comments but only 12 upvotes, indicating a nostalgic yet diminishing engagement with the mode.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Steam’s second most-played game right now is reportedly a bot-filled marketplace that can get you banned

Steam's player population data shows that idle games are popular, with Bongo Cat remaining prominent and Banana achieving the tenth-highest peak for concurrent players. Task Bar Hero, launched at the end of May, reached approximately 450,000 concurrent players overnight and set a new record of 526,596 concurrent players, ranking just below Counter-Strike 2. The game's success is attributed to its passive item earning mechanic, allowing players to sell items on the Steam marketplace, where some items are valued between £50 and £150, and a legendary bow is listed for £1,183.16. Concerns have arisen about market manipulation by a bot farm, leading developers to enhance data collection on private servers to identify unauthorized program users. The data tracked includes user ID, game version, and device information.

Tech Optimizer

June 12, 2026

Fake verification pages are stealing Steam accounts from players

Online gamers are being warned about a scam targeting Steam accounts through counterfeit FACEIT verification pages that look authentic. These fraudulent sites feature official branding and functional links, tricking users into entering their passwords. The scam is particularly aimed at FACEIT players, as it exploits the connection between FACEIT and Steam, where players link their accounts. The scam starts with a website mimicking an official FACEIT page, claiming to offer free identity verification. Scammers use lookalike URLs, such as faceit-discord.com and faceit-clubs-verify.com, to deceive users. The site may display subtle errors, like conflicting copyright dates, and encourages users to click a “Sign in through Steam” button, which leads to a fake login window designed to steal user credentials. To protect against this scam, users should verify the website address, be cautious of blurry QR codes, treat urgent messages as suspicious, navigate directly to official sites, and consider using tools like Malwarebytes Browser Guard. If users have already entered their details, they should change their Steam password, enable Steam Guard, and check for unauthorized activity. The scam's effectiveness lies in its convincing presentation and the use of Browser-in-the-Browser attacks, which manipulate the perceived address bar.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Crossfire was the most surprising game reveal I’ve attended in years

That's No Moon is a relatively unknown studio in Los Angeles, established during the pandemic and backed by South Korean publisher Smilegate. The studio's debut game is titled Crossfire, which is a single-player, third-person tactical shooter that diverges from Smilegate's original competitive FPS. The game features a protagonist named Minkoff, voiced by Claudia Doumit, and incorporates high lethality, limited healing options, and manual magazine reloading. Players engage in intense firefights with controlled bursts of fire and a unique on-screen reticle that enhances the connection to the weapon. The game includes a modular inventory system for managing gear and ammunition, encourages looting, and offers a linear, narrative-driven campaign. An adaptive cover system allows players to use various forms of cover dynamically. The studio aimed to balance accessibility with tactical challenges, and they proposed using the Crossfire name after exploring the franchise's lore.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Gabe Newell Fights Steam Monopoly Claims, Says “Customers Have Enormous Choice” Across Consoles and PC

Valve's Steam is facing multiple legal challenges, including a class-action antitrust lawsuit regarding its microtransaction strategies and a 30% commission on transactions. Gabe Newell, Valve's co-founder, is defending the platform against claims of monopolistic behavior, asserting that gamers have "enormous choice" in where to purchase games. Allegations suggest Valve has threatened developers who price their games lower outside of Steam, including a warning to Ubisoft about removing Rainbow Six Siege from the platform. Newell denies these allegations, stating that Valve does not dictate prices to third-party developers on other platforms. The outcomes of the lawsuits could significantly impact how games are marketed and sold.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Which gaming clip just won $500? Check out the best videos of May, featuring nukes in Minecraft, eternal drifts in Forza Horizon 6, and a dragon-riding giant in Skyrim

In May, the gaming community submitted a variety of video clips showcasing gameplay from titles like Counter-Strike 2, Marathon, and Battlefield 6, as well as comedic moments from sandbox games such as Crimson Desert, Minecraft, and Subnautica 2. PC Gamer curates these submissions, selecting one clip each month as the 'Best Clip of the Month,' which receives a 0 Amazon gift card.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Valve’s Gabe Newell argued gamers “have enormous choice” when grilled over Steam’s alleged monopoly on PC gaming

Gabe Newell, CEO of Valve Corporation, is defending the company against allegations in a class action lawsuit claiming it maintains an illegal monopoly in the gaming distribution market. This lawsuit is similar to a £0 million suit filed in the UK, both asserting that Valve has abused its dominant position. A survey by Rokky indicated that 72% of 306 industry managers view Steam as a monopoly. Analyst Mat Piscatella argues that while Steam is dominant, it may not fit the definition of a monopoly, as true monopolies lack viable alternatives. The lawsuits allege that Valve's market power allows it to impose unfair fees and pricing restrictions, with a focus on its standard 30% cut of sales. Valve refutes these claims, stating that developers have alternatives like the Epic Games Store. In a recent lawsuit dismissal attempt, Valve argued that the gaming community values the innovations from titles like Counter-Strike 2 and that its practices align with industry standards.

AppWizard

May 29, 2026

Epic Games’ Tim Sweeney slams Valve over Steam Deck price hikes — mocks founder Gabe Newell over rising costs of megayachts

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Valve for increasing the price of the Steam Deck's 1TB model to 9, attributing the price hike to shortages in memory and chips. He acknowledged the overall rise in component costs but deemed Valve's increases excessive. Valve's CEO Gabe Newell is known for his luxury yacht collection, including a 365-foot superyacht valued at around a billion dollars. Valve has not yet announced pricing for the Steam Machine, which is expected to be priced similarly to other gaming PC builds, potentially exceeding ,000, without subsidies to compete with PlayStation or Xbox.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Steam is flooded with liminal spaces games and I approve, but I think I’ve found the best to start with

Dreamcore explores "liminal spaces," featuring environments like indoor pools, low-poly suburbia, and children's play areas, with a notable "liminal hotel" inspired by the Backrooms meme. Liminal spaces evoke feelings of transition and emptiness and have gained popularity on platforms like Steam. Since its release in January 2025, Dreamcore has introduced a new map called Dead Mall, reminiscent of 1990s super malls. Other titles in the genre include Pools, Tainted Pools, and Liminal Waters, while games like Dream Logic offer a PS1-era twist. Dreamcore is noted for its diverse themes and well-optimized performance, allowing players to explore unsettling landscapes. Steam's sales chart from May 12 - 19 lists the top games by revenue, with Subnautica 2 leading, followed by Forza Horizon 6, Counter-Strike 2, and PUBG: Battlegrounds. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Night is expected to rise in the charts, and 007 First Light is gaining traction due to pre-orders. Librarian: Tidy Up The Arcane Library ranks eighth despite its April release. A humorous user review for Bubsy 4D received attention for its candidness.